Tag Archives: Bible verses On Sexual Purity

The Good: The overarching positive of the book is its honesty. Joshua Harris even brings several personal battles into the book, which allows the reader to relate to its content. The honesty has a good balance of providing personal battles and not allowing the reader to drift off in their imagination causing more harm than good. That being said, it does not shy away from topics such as masturbation, pornography, and sexual fantasies.

Also, it provides great value in counseling. All throughout the book there are practical helps, homework assignments you could give counselees struggling with sexual purity, and Bible verses that combat false ideals and useful for withstanding temptation (chapter 9 happens to be my favorite chapter where it give Bible passages that dispel the lies of the enemy).

The Bad: The target audience (teens to young adults) took away from some of its firepower. You were forced to adapt some of the application as an adult reader.

The Grade: B+.The principles were still very solid and practical for the most part. It paints a realistic picture of the power of lust, and provides Biblical ways to combat and overcome lust. It provides a solid challenge to any reader, and great tool for anyone fighting for purity. Also, if you are looking for a book to counsel teenagers or young adults who are struggling in sexual purity, this book would be on my recommended list.

Recently I heard a story that sent chills down my spine. A pastor was sitting next to a man in a plane, who was consistently bowing his head and mouthing words to himself. When asked for a meal, the gentlemen politely refused and continued to bow his head. When he looked up again, the pastor couldn’t resist asking “Excuse me, I have to ask. Are you fasting?” The man said “Yes I am”. Oh, thinking they had a similar bond, he said “That’s great, I’m a Christian too and…” The man interrupted, “Oh, I’m not a Christian. I’m a Satanist. I’m on my way to a satanic conference, and we have made a covenant to pray and fast that all evangelical leaders may morally fail”.

Whoa! I thought, as a pastor, I knew I had a target on my back, but I didn’t realize that people were praying for my failure (albeit prayers that have no power/value). And, upon hearing that, and other reminders from the Holy Spirit puts on my heart, I knew it was time I take prevention up a notch.

Close The Doors – There are enough doors that Satan can walk through, why not try to close all the doors you can (The “tear it out principle” in Mark 9:47). So that means, if internet is your problem, take it off your phone or don’t access alone.

Three’s Company – Never meet with a woman alone. Period.

Sexual Purity Promotion

Keep the Line of Communication Open – Have a consistent prayer life was already mentioned. But also, if you are married, keep constant and consistent communication with your wife when temptation comes, where you are, when something unexpected pops up on your computer screen, etc. (Prov. 4:23)

Accountability – Listen, accountability groups where you just share how bad you did that week is garbage. If you are going to have true accountability it needs to have 2 things: honesty & teeth. That means if you can lie to your accountability, get a new one. That means if you can share more than once your failure and there are no consequences, get a new one. (Prov. 27:17; James 5:16)

Be a Man of Action – While all this prevention is well and good…don’t forget about the actions! The Bible is full of action against temptation – “put on whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), the “Put On’s” in Colossians 3 (we often focus on what to put off, but don’t forget to put on…which is done by allowing the words of Christ to dwell in you), Submit to God (James 4:7), Walk in the Spirit (James 5:16)…and the list goes on! You see God wants us to be Men of Action, not someone who sits on the sidelines with a clipboard checking off all we have done to prevent the enemy from scoring. God wants us to get out there and be the fierce linebacker and crush the enemy from the opening kickoff!

Make a Deposit – Finally, and probably most important. Don’t forget to feed your soul daily. Allow God to enrich, empower, and encourage you through His powerful word. (Hebrews 4:12; Joshua 1:8)

What has given you success in your purity? What has caused you the greatest temptation? Comment and help others prevent sin and promote purity!